Welcome to another episode of Botch Plays! This time, we're joined by the Nerd Perspetive to play the first half of a game of Fiasco by Bully Pulpit Games. Our setting is a group of "super" heroes, who in all actuality could just be regular people in tights. We hope you enjoy and look for the second half next Friday!

In Episode 21, Craig is joined by Chuck on the episode in which the podcast is now of legal age. They talk at length about Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards: Duel at Mt. Skullzfyre from Cryptozoic Games, Pathfinder Advanture Card Game from Mike Selinker and Paizo, and One Night Ultimate Werewolf from Ted Alspach and Bezier Games, giving a game breakdown and discussion for each. In kickstarter and overall hype news, they talk about Forbidden Stars from Fantasy Flight, 504 from Friedemann Friese, and The Titans of Gaming Series from Calliope Games. After a shout out to their local shops and groups for International Tabletop Day, they dive into a topic where they discuss how to get a group back into roleplaying after a falling out.

In episode 20, Craig and Duke do their best to derail any kind of board game discussion semblance while discussing a myriad of games. They talk in depth about Keyflower from R&D Games, Star Wars Imperial Assault from Fantasy Flight Games, and Pina Pirata from Iello Games. In Kickstarter talk, they look at Wizard's Academy from 3D Total Games and Battle Arena Show from KOTI Games. Lastly, they do a topic round up where they discuss the controversy surrounding Gen Con 2015 and Indiana Law, the replacement of slave cards with fakir cards in Five Tribes from Days of Wonder, and then talk about innovative game components which are still functional.

In our first fifth week minisode we take a look at the different learning stlyes of our little group from the mouths of each group member. Each of us talks for a few minutes about how we learn to play new games and how our group can accomodate each learning style to promote an atmosphere of fun and learning.

We hope you enjoy this little episode and we'll be back next week with a full length episode!

In episode 19, Craig and Duke discuss the social contract of gathering at the table to play games: what is expected as a participant, how to function as part of the group, and the faux pas that ruin game nights. They get in depth with two games they're playing: At the Gates of Loyang from Z-man Games and Last will by Czech Games Edition. In Kickstarter talk, they look at Neon Sanctum and Burgle Bros. and talk about the hits their wallets have taken recently. Lastly, in their What the What segment, they finally define "Botch Games."

In episode 18, Craig and guest co-host Duke discuss the struggle of scaling their four and five player games down to a two player format for spousal gaming: What games do it right? What games do it wrong? How can designers better figure in scalability?

They also discuss a number of games including Deus from Pearl Games, XCOM The Board Game from Fantasy Flight, and Star Realms from White Wizard Games. They talk some kickstarter games such as Vault Wars from Floodgate Games, Entropy from Allen Chang, and Valeria Card Kingdoms from Daily Magic. In their What the What?! segment, Craig defines what a 4x game is and what must exist for a game to be called a 4x game. Lastly, they recap some local gaming events with the grand opening Pi day celebration at the Malted Meeple, and the Board Game flea market at Underhills Games before subjecting Duke to a little game of Know Your Podcaster Lightning Round.

In Episode 17, Craig and guest-co-host B discuss a few games they've played this week: Aquasphere from Stefan Feld and Tasty Minstrel Games, and Kingsburg from Fantasy Flight. In Kickstarter news, they talk about Above and Below from Ryan Laukat and Red Raven Games. During the What the What?! segment, Craig defines what a pasted on theme which leads to a discussion on what came first, the Mechanic or the Theme? In the main topic of this episode, Craig and B set up a theme game night with a plethora of Antoine Bauza games, ranging from the simplistic to the complex and everything in between, and their ideas on implementing a Bauza game night, including games like Tokaido, Hanabi, Ghost stories, and 7 Wonders. Finally Craig subjects B to the "know your podcaster lightning round"!

In Episode 16, Craig and Dave tackle the fringes of the role of art in hobby games, touching on the characterisctics artwork and design adds to the look, play style, and theme of games. They discuss a few games they've played this week including Samurai Spirit from Funforge and Antoine Bauza, Ancient Terrible Things from Pleasant Company Games, and Wizard Dodgeball from Peter Newland and Mind the Gap Studios. They talk some kickstarter hype with Dragoon from Lay Waste Games, Between Two Cities from Jamey Stegmaier, and Project Dreamscape from Ben Haskett. In their What the What segment, they take a few minutes to define and describe the term point salad weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the mechanic. Lastly, in a new segment, you get to learn a little bit about everyone's favorite bearded co-host, Dave, in out "Know Your Podcaster Lightning Round"

In our third special episode of Botch Plays, Craig, Erin, Chuck, and Lindsay sit down to play a game of "Bad Medicine" by Gil Hova of Formal Ferret studios. Listen to nearly a full game as Craig sits with three actual nurses while we attempt to cure the world of a myriad of ridiculous maladies in this pharmaceutical party game!

In Episode 15, Craig and guest-host Sound-Editor-Chuck enter into a world of Euros and discuss the games Panamax from Stronghold Games, Viticulture from Stonemaier Games, and Agrocila from Z-Man. They talk about their plays of Titans of Empyrean from 9 Kingdoms and its Kickstarter Campaign. In their What the What? segment, Craig defines ALpha Gamer and the fine line between helping and hindering fellow players. In their main segment, they discuss the recent trend of App integration into board gaming looking at titles like X-Com, Golem Arcana, Alchemists, and World of Yo-Ho. Finally they answer a listener question from Todd Kauk about strategy per minute games, and getting the most strategical bang for your time investment buck!